CONTEST GUIDELINES
Our goal is to have the 2026 Contest Guidelines posted by mid-February.
The 2025 Guidelines have been moved to the bottom of the page so you can keep using them as a reference or for practice.
2026 Contest Guidelines
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Posted guidelines will be in Bold Red Underlined Text under each cluster.
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Architectural Drafting
Carpentry
Electrical Construction Wiring
Masonry
Plumbing
TeamWorks
Technical Drafting
Welding Sculpture (HS only)
Welding Overall, Fabrication, GMAW, GTAW, OAC/PAC, SMAW - There is no competition at NLSC for GMAW, GTAW, OAC/PAC, and SMAW; these are Michigan only contests
Guidelines
DFX files (zip file downloads)
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3-D Visualization and Animation
Advertising Design
Audio Production
Digital Cinema Production
Graphic Communications
Photography
Screen Printing Technology
Video Production
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Early Childhood Education
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Cosmetology
Cosmetology Mannequin - There is no competition at NLSC; Michigan only contest
Esthetics
Nail Care
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Cyber Security
Information Technology Services
Internetworking
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Crime Scene Investigation
Criminal Justice
Emergency Medical Technician
Firefighting
First Aid/CPR
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Action Skills
American Spirit
Career Pathways Showcase
Chapter Display
Community Service
Customer Service
Employment Application Process
Entrepreneurship
Extemporaneous Speaking
Job Interview
Job Skill Demonstration A - demonstrate a career objective in an occupational area that is included in one of the contest areas of SkillsUSA.
Job Skill Demonstration Open - demonstrate any technical skill from outside the cluster/training program of the contestant.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Pin Design
Prepared Speech
Promotional Bulletin Board
Quiz Bowl
Related Technical Math
T-Shirt Design
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3D Printing Pilot Event - There is no competition at NLSC; this is a Michigan only contest
Additive Manufacturing
CNC contests
Industrial Motor Control
Precision Machining Overall, Bench, Lathe, & Mill -There is no competition at NLSC; these are Michigan only contests
Robotics and Automation Technology
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Electronics Technology
Principles of Engineering Technology
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Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair
Automotive Refinishing Technology
Automotive Service Technology
Automotive Service Technology - Electrical - There is no competition at NLSC ; Michigan only contest
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Collision Damage Appraisal
Collision Repair Technology
Diesel Equipment Technology
Heavy Equipment Operation
Marine Service Technology
Motorcycle Service Technology
Power Equipment Technology
Online Testing Information
For Competition at the Michigan State Leadership and Skills Conference, all students will take the Professional Development Assessment online in March 2026. Depending on the contest, some students may also have a Technical Assessment assigned to them in the online portal.
Competitions not being held at the Michigan 2026 State Leadership and Skills Conference
Other contests may be added to this list.
Automated Manufacturing Technology
Barbering
Basic Health Care Skills
Building Maintenance
Cabinetmaking
Computer Programming
Dental Assisting
Engineering Technology Design
Health Knowledge Bowl
Health Occupations Professional Portfolio
Interactive Application and Video Game Development
Internet of Things (IOY) Smart Home
Mechatronics
Medical Assisting
Medical Math
Medical Terminology
Mobile Electronics Installation
Mobile Robotics Technology
Nurse Assisting
Practical Nursing
Robotics - Urban Search and Rescue
Team Engineering Challenge
Technical Computer Applications
Telecommunications Cabling
Video News Production
Web Design and Development
Past Contest Guidelines for Practice or Reference Only
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Past Contest Guidelines for Practice or Reference Only ~
2025 Contest Guidelines
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Electrical Construction Wiring - updated supply list 4/8
Welding Sculpture (HS only) - updated 2/27
Welding Overall, Fabrication, GMAW, GTAW, OAC/PAC, SMAW - There is no competition at NLSC for GMAW, GTAW, OAC/PAC, and SMAW; these are Michigan only contests
Guidelines- updated 3/13
DFX files (zip file downloads)
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3-D Visualization and Animation
Digital Cinema Production - updated 2/20
Photography- updated 4/3
Video Production - updated 2/28
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Early Childhood Education - Note: 2025 on-site written test has been eliminated, and will not be counted in the competition score.
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Cosmetology Mannequin - There is no competition at NLSC ; Michigan only contest
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Employment Application Process
Job Skill Demonstration A - demonstrate a career objective in an occupational area that is included in one of the contest areas of SkillsUSA.
Job Skill Demonstration Open - demonstrate any technical skill from outside the cluster/training program of the contestant.
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3D Printing Pilot Event - There is no competition at NLSC; this is a Michigan only contest
Additive Manufacturing - updated 4/2
CNC 2-Axis Turning, CNC 3-Axis Milling, and CNC Programmer
Precision Machining Overall, Bench, Lathe, & Mill -There is no competition at NLSC; these are Michigan only contests
Robotics and Automation Technology - Score rubric updated 3/31
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Principles of Engineering Technology
Email final written portion of project to: MaryEllen Brocklehurst by 12:00 AM on Monday, April 7, 2025. Be sure to include the student’s name, school and project title.
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Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair
Automotive Refinishing Technology
Automotive Service Technology - Electrical - There is no competition at NLSC ; Michigan only contest
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Heavy Equipment Operation - updated 2/18